20 Classic Southern Dishes Made Without Meat or Dairy. What?!

Support OneGreenPlanet

Processing ...

USD

Stripe Payments requires Javascript to be supported by the browser in order to operate.

There is a lot to love about classic southern dishes and soul food. It’s greasy, flavorful, meaty, hearty, spicy and comforting. Overall, Southern dishes have lots of flair and a whole lot of heavy yumminess. Sit down to a bowl of mac & cheese or freshly baked potpie and you’re guaranteed to fill stuffed and comforted ASAP. Many southern dishes get their comforting and filling appeal from the use of meat and dairy products. But even an animal product-ridden cuisine like Southern fare can be made over into delicious vegan counterparts. Here are 10 Classic Southern Dishes Made Over, Vegan Style.

Fried Green tomatoes are the quintessential southern side dish. For this recipe, use a combination of fine cornmeal and chickpea flour, and instead of eggs, opt for flaxseed. This recipe also includes a “buttermilk” made from almond and vinegar.

When it comes to making mashed potatoes, Southerners do not shy away from the butter and milk; ask your average southern grandmother, and she will tell you not to skimp on the butter and milk in favor of making ultra creamy and rich mashed potatoes. Sorry, grandma, but the dairy milk and butter is not necessary to make tasty mashed potatoes. To make a vegan version that is just as comforting, use a quality olive oil and soymilk.

For this cornbread, opt for organic cornmeal, organic coconut oil, organic grade B maple syrup, and homemade almond milk. The end result is a moist cake sans dairy that will go great alongside some chili or a vegan chicken dish.

Potpies are warm, creamy, and bursting with flavor from delicious fresh veggies. This recipe is a fairly simple meal to throw together. Among the ingredients for the crust, use amaranth flour, white rice flour, potato starch and arrowroot.

These grits get a bit of an upgrade thanks to shiitake mushrooms, coconut milk, dry white wine, and smoky kale pesto. This dish is pretty simple to make, since to prepare the grits, you make everything in one cast iron skillet over the stove.

Brussels sprouts are an incredibly healthy side dish, since they are high in vitamin C and folic acid. You don’t have to serve these drenched in butter to make them taste good; try this recipe, which calls for extra-virgin olive oil, shallots, garlic, aged Sherry vinegar, time, Dijon mustard, agave nectar and black pepper.

These strawberry shortcakes are quick to make and messy to eat. This recipe features a strawberry layer made with evaporated cane sugar, lemon juice and vanilla, as well as a shortcake and coconut whipped cream on top. This is a great dessert to have after your Southern-inspired dinner night.